Can I Work As A Corrections Officer And Later Become A Police Officer?
If you have always wanted to become a police officer, but it is hard to break into the field in your area, there is another way to get noticed and get your foot into the door. By becoming a corrections officer, you can begin to get your foot in the door of the law enforcement community. By doing this, you will make contacts in the police force, and this will allow you to have an inside track when openings on the force do come up.
As a corrections officer, you will be responsible for overseeing inmates as they are in designated areas. Some of the duties that you will perform will include maintaining order and security, as well as ensuring the humane treatment and safety of the inmates in your charge. Correction officers will not put as high of a priority on inmate rights based on the rules of the facility, because safety will always be your first priority. You will also make sure that the inmates maintain personal hygiene and that they have the necessary hygiene products.
As a correctional officer, you will be reporting to the jail administrator, and the administrator will evaluate and approve the correctional officer’s work. Part of your duties will include controlling the movement and maintaining the logs and records of the jail. You will maintain the inmate rosters and housing assignments during every assigned shift. When a new inmate arrives, the corrections officer will check them in and take their fingerprints. During your shift, you will also report any damage to jail property in both written and oral form. You will also be responsible for filling out and delivering disciplinary reports and inmate requests to the shift supervisor.
You also have many security responsibilities. You will be responsible for searching all visitors and inmates who enter the facility. You will also conduct safety and security inspections, as well as take part in shakedowns. Part of your duties will also include regular head counts during your shift in order to ensure that everyone is where they should be. You will also be responsible for supervising inmate visits.
Once you have proven your problem solving and management skills, it will be much easier to make the transition into a law enforcement job, as you will have already built up a rapport with officers on the force.
